Dinosaur at a New York Museum
Human whims are quite curious things. When we get an idea in our heads, there's no way to get rid of it until we make it a reality. For me, it might be a cowboy toy or some silly gimmick that comes with bright and flashy billboards, which takes over my mind until I manage to buy it. But for billionaires, these whims are very different. Especially because it's much easier for them to acquire things than for the rest of us mortals.
Such is the case with one of these billionaires, who has recently made headlines for acquiring the most expensive dinosaur fossil in history. Imagine having so much money that your whim is a Stegosaurus skeleton worth $44.6 million. The man who has acquired it has been in the news several times for similar purchases. However, this skeleton does not rest within the walls of his mansion; instead, it has been donated to the American Museum of Natural History in New York so that you can go see it. I'll tell you the whole story of who this man is and how you can visit the most expensive skeleton in the world.
Who is the billionaire who bought the Stegosaurus fossil for $44.6 million?
To begin with, I think we should know who is behind this historic purchase. It is none other than Kenneth C. Griffin, a billionaire who has made news several times due to his interest in acquiring outrageously expensive items. But he can afford it, as he is the founder of the global investment firm Citadel, a company he created when he was just 19 from his room in the Harvard dorm. With such an impressive start, it's no surprise that Kenneth has spent years climbing the ranks in the list of the richest people in the world, currently ranking at number 32.
For Ken, his business isn't like other companies; in his words: "I don't manufacture cars... but I do make money." And besides making money, he spends it. That's why alongside his name, you can see typical headlines like: "Ken Griffin just paid $238 million for a penthouse with views of Central Park" or "Kenneth C. Griffin buys the most expensive house in Miami for $106.8 million." Although it seems that this billionaire especially enjoys purchasing residences, his artistic tastes also come with a hefty price tag; in 2015, he acquired two pieces from the expressionists Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning for $500 million.
So, it was no surprise to discover that Kenneth's name is behind this news; last summer, during an auction organized by the British auction house Sotheby's, he acquired the Stegosaurus fossil for $44.6 million, perhaps the cheapest whim of the billionaire in recent years. This selling price far exceeded the initial amount, which was set at $4 million, making it the most expensive dinosaur skeleton in history.
Where you can see the most expensive dinosaur in the world
"Apex," which is the name given to the most expensive Stegosaurus in history, can be seen at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. Griffin has donated the specimen for a period of four years for exhibition and research, because along with this "loan," the billionaire has included funds for research and documentation of the specimen.
Apex is a Stegosaurus that stands 10 feet tall and measures 20 feet in length, having lived on our planet 150 million years ago, during the late Jurassic period. This fossil is one of the best-preserved dinosaur fossils, surpassing Stan, a complete Tyrannosaurus Rex that sold five years ago for $31 million, a smaller figure than that of Apex. But Apex boasts nearly 80% of its bones in good condition, which is very rare for this type of fossil, as they often lack certain parts.
The Museum of Natural History will display the skeleton on the first floor of the Gilder Center to be viewed by the largest number of people possible. Additionally, it will also be visible from the window of this floor for those on the Upper West Side.